Fore! Allianz pro golf tourney returns to Boca Feb. 6 to 11

Tom Lehman will defend his 2011 win in a field of players that includes Hale Irwin, Tom Kite and Fuzzy Zoeller as the PGA's Allianz Championship returns to The Old Course at Broken Sound Club Feb. 6 through 12 for the sixth year.

Spectators will be admitted free during tournament play Feb. 10, 11 and 12. There's an executive women's pro-am Feb. 7 with Annika Sorenstam, two pro-ams Feb. 8, and a family day and a "Grapes on the Green Golf & Wine Experience" fundraiser on Feb. 11.

The free family day will include bounce houses, mascots, clowns and other children's activities on the whole back range, Dillon said at a press conference. "Grapes on the Green" will move to the 18th green and driving range during the second round of play from 3 to 6 p.m. The Boca Raton Bridge Hotel presents this event, and proceeds go to Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

Lehman announced that Allianz Life Insurance Co. will donate $1,000 for every birdie he makes to the South Florida chapters of Junior Achievement and the Alzheimer's Association. Last year he had 17 birdies.

"The city donates a fair amount of money," to the Allianz, said Mayor Susan Whelchel. Not only does the tournament bring in business and tourism, but "we get international media coverage."

This year the championship plans to go green with zero waste, Dillon said. "Not one item of garbage will go in a landfill; everything will be recycled. We will also reduce our carbon footprint by 30 percent."

"A lot of our members volunteer and we look at it as a highlight of the year," said Ivan Snyder, president of Broken Sound.